Monday, March 12, 2012

NBA Consensus Power Rankings, Week 11

With March Madness set to start on Thursday (play-in games on Tuesday), the NFL free-agency period begins Tuesday and the NBA's trade deadline is Thursday.

This week's roundtable question will focus on the NBA trade deadline.

Before we get to that, this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings have the same top four teams in the same order as last week: Miami, Oklahoma City, Chicago and San Antonio. However, the Lakers have replaced the Clippers as the top team in L.A. and as a top-five team in our power rankings.

At the bottom, there is no change to the bottom four teams: Charlotte, Washington, New Orleans and Toronto (although the Wizards and Hornets were tied at 28 last week).

For a second week in a row, the Knicks were big droppers. From Week 9 to 10, they were tied with the Blazers for the largest week-to-week drop. From last week to this week, the Knicks had the second-biggest drop. Just two weeks ago, the Knicks were the 12th-ranked team in our rankings and are now 18th.

That's Linsane.

Here are some more stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:

- Biggest jump from last week: Boston Celtics (+3.25)- Biggest drop from last week: Dallas Mavericks (-3.25)- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Boston Celtics (6)

Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question: Will the Magic trade Dwight Howard before the trade deadline on March 15th?

John (follow on Twitter): All year I have believed Dwight Howard was going to be traded, and that it was only a matter of time. Of course, as we get closer to the trade deadline, I'm now changing my tune on the matter. It appears that Orlando feels that they have enough talent to make a legitimate run in the East, and that they still have hopes to re-sign Howard after the season. Howard's own mother voiced her opinion, that Orlando was the best place for him. I'm fairly certain that the Lakers and a few other teams may make a run at him, but they may also feel that they can get him after the season without giving up the high price tag that would obviously come along with trading for him. So overall, I believe Howard will stay put in Orlando, at least for the rest of the season.

Kevin (follow on Twitter): With the trade deadline fast approaching but coming a few weeks later than last year due to the shortened season, that also means that teams will have the services of any player(s) acquired for less time than they typically would. Of course, any team that trades for Howard will only pull the trigger provided they can agree to a long-term deal with him since his contract is up at the end of the season. I think the favorite to pull off a deal would be the New Jersey (soon-to-be Brooklyn) Nets, but I think they wait until the season ends to try to woo Howard and pair him up with Deron Williams.

Dan (follow on Twitter): The Magic will not trade Howard this year, as most teams have been trying to steal him for bargain basement prices. The Magic have a few contracts coming out their books this year, and they can pay the most for Howard next year as well. I believe the Magic will make a serious run at resigning Howard this year, as they cannot get fair market value for him right now.

To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through Week 11, click here.